Chemestry: Balancing equations

• What is the purpose of chemical equations in a chemical reaction?

  To show what is happening in a chemical reaction
• What is an example of a word equation for a chemical reaction?

  Methane burns in oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water
• What are the reactants in the example of methane burning?

  Methane and oxygen
• What are the products in the example of methane burning?

  Carbon dioxide and water
• What symbol is used to indicate that reactants react to form products in a chemical equation?

  A single arrow
• What is the difference between word equations and symbol equations?


  Symbol equations use chemical symbols instead of words
• What is the chemical symbol for methane?

  $CH_4$
• What is the chemical symbol for oxygen?


  $O_2$
• Why do we write $O_2$ instead of $O$ in chemical equations?


  Because oxygen exists as a molecule made up of two atoms
• What is the first step in balancing a chemical equation?

  Ensure the same total number of each type of atom on both sides
• What must be done to balance the equation if there are unequal numbers of atoms on each side?

  Increase the number of atoms on one side by adjusting coefficients
• What is the rule regarding changing numbers when balancing chemical equations?

  You cannot change the small numbers in the chemical formulas
• What do the big numbers in front of elements or compounds represent in a chemical equation?

  They represent how many of that substance are present
• How would you increase the number of oxygen atoms on the left side of the equation?

  By putting a 2 in front of $O_2$
• Why can't you use a fraction like 1.5 when balancing chemical equations?

  Because we need to keep whole numbers
• How can you balance the number of hydrogens on the right side of the equation?

  By increasing the number of water molecules
• What is the process for balancing a chemical equation?

  1. Write the unbalanced equation.
  2. Count the number of each type of atom on both sides.
  3. Adjust coefficients to balance the atoms.
  4. Ensure whole numbers are used.
  5. Double-check to confirm the equation is balanced.
• In the reaction of sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide, what is the first element to balance?

  Sulfur
• How do you balance sodium in the reaction of sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide?

  By putting a 2 in front of sodium hydroxide
• What common problem arises when balancing chemical equations?

  Needing to adjust multiple atoms at once
• What should you do after balancing a chemical equation?

  Double-check to see if it is balanced
• What are the key components of a balanced chemical equation?

  • Reactants on the left side
  • Products on the right side
  • A single arrow indicating the reaction
  • Equal number of each type of atom on both sides